Rookie Calder Brooks triggered the avalanche of teddy bears late in the second period when he put one past Tigers goaltender Tyler Bunz. In total, fans tossed 25,303 stuffed toys onto the ice.

Calgary outshot Medicine Hat 38-17 in the loss.

“The 17th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss was another resounding success,” said Mike Moore, Calgary Hitmen Director of Business Operations. “On behalf of the Calgary Hitmen organization, I would like to thank our fans, players, Suncor Energy, the Rainbow Society, and all of the sponsors and contributors for continuing to make this event special. Tomorrow over 25,000 bears will be in the hands of many recipients including kids and seniors from the efforts of all these people.”

The distribution and delivery of Sunday’s bears will take place on Monday, Dec. 5. The day will begin at the Petro-Canada Westhills gas station, the teddy bear distribution site, where more than 50 agencies will pick up their donated bears from 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. The Calgary Hitmen will then visit the Alberta Children’s Hospital to deliver 400 teddy bears to patients.

Since 2000, over 186,000 bears have been donated to local agencies including the Alberta Children’s Hospital, Stephen’s Backpacks, the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary, YWCA, Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Calgary Food Bank and Treaty 7 groups.

Fans are encouraged to join the Calgary Hitmen in supporting the CBC Calgary Suncor Energy Food Bank Drive by visiting www.hitmenhockey.com to bid on game worn teddy bear jerseys.

The online auction opens Monday, Dec.5 at 9:00 a.m. and closes Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 9:00 p.m. Fans with the winning auction bids will be presented with their signed jersey on Friday, Dec. 16 when the Hitmen host the Regina Pats.

Calgary, 15-12-1-1 on the season, travels to Edmonton on Tuesday, Dec. 6 for their second meeting with the Oil Kings. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Rexall Place. Visit www.sportsnet960.ca and follow the Husky Hitmen Hockey link to listen to the online broadcast beginning at 7:00 p.m.